It's been a while.....

It has indeed been a long while, and times have been difficult.  Our Matriach, Jaava, went to the Rainbow Bridge earlier this month. This was a shock to us all. She was not that old and had anemia for which we know not the cause, and it took her very rapidly. Here is a photo taken the day before she left us, with Papu washing her.

Our Universe was shattered and the Felocracy is struggling to work out a hierarchy - Jaava sorted us all out (including Äiti). Mesi has lost her snugglebuddy (on top of Sampo leaving us not long ago - he was Mesi's best mate). Mesi is glued to Äiti which makes Otso jealous. THat means he gets snarky with Jura and Kalle. Jura copes, but mopes around as he misses Jaava. Kalle is still getting used to having wonderful eyes that can see, and is outdoors as much as he can be - and avoiding Otso who is big and scary to him. Papu does what he wants to do - which means he'll annoy Mesi whenever he feels like it. Mesi is a third of his size.   This will take time.

And then we got the bad news that I have HCM, which is already showing as weightloss.  

This all feels too much for Äiti right now - and she has her own inner struggles with a dizzy brain and she has just been officially diagnosed as autistic, which leaves her with a load of weird human emotions about the last 57 years of feeling like a poop in a food bowl. It's a good thing long term, but a bit of a maelström. Plus, she has been hit hard by the reduction in our numbers - she had hoped for stability for a few years as we are not really oldies!

So, she is devoting her time and energy to us, and herself, and feels pretty bad about the lack of blogging. But we felcorats had a vote and agreed it is fine for her to take an extended break.  We apologise to Loyal Readers, whole heartedly, especially those who have been our Very True friends for such a long time. So many kitties and humans we have loved and so many have gone to play in the tailio tangle of the revontulet. 

I have no intention of joining them any time soon, but let's see what my heart will do. I have many different yummy foods, and I get to snuggle with Äiti every night. I get to do a bit of supervised socialising, and I have my own balcony. Now you'd think that Mesi and I could cozy up together, but that would be too easy: we despise each other!    Kalle and I get to hang out a bit, but he does not let me steal his heats.

So, that's the update for now from FInland(N). We deeply miss our buddies, and it will all take time to settle. But you can rest assured that every morning when I feel hungry, I walk right across Äiti's face to make sure my needs are met! Oh yes, there is still a lot of life in this Nekkid Viscount yet. 

Be well, friends, and cherish your humans and your felines, and any other creatures that perhaps do not purr so much. 

Saturday Snaps

We are posting by command of a most Loyal Reader, ystävämme eläinlääkäri. It's about time Äiti got off her butt and obeyed us as well! All is well here, with a few frustrations. For instance, Papu is pretty desperate to be outside killing mousies.

He realises that actually looking cute is a good interim activity.

                            

Otso is working out how to wreck Äiti's jigsaw hobby.

And Sampo is owning the peacock feather with his murder mitts. 

And Kalle is enjoying night time snuggles. He is continuing to have eye problems and next week he will have some surgery to correct his eyelids which are rolling under. He will be far more comfortable when this is done - poor lad was probably born with this problem and it is only now that it is diagnosed because it has taken a long time to calm down with ointment since he arrived with us.  So paws crossed for his beady eyes!

A Full Felocracy

Jaava and Jura are as close as ever to each other. They make good mutual pillows.

And there has been peace and calm with all of us - for a few moments at least. The Highly Prized Full Felocracy Photo was taken the other evening. Now it does reveal just how messy and disordered the Castle is (and Äiti's belief that jeesusteippi is the best thing for solving all decoration problems after Otso and Papu did their worst on the folding door!). So here we have our evening meal.

Kalle is gradually braving the world a the bottom of the stairs, and eating more than the rest of us added together. And he is coming for scritches in the night - this makes us all happy.

We are going to take a bit of a blogcation - Äiti is having the seasonal disorganisation and Black Dog visits, and feels she is lacking the creativity and oomph that our blog deserves. We have tried to slap her into shape and cajole her into recognising her priorities, but maybe she needs a bit of hibernation. So, we shall be back as soon as we can. In the meantime, here's a jigsaw from Wednesday's artified picture, and also one of the Full Felocracy - although none of us is showing our best sides. Enjoy!

Jaava

Felocrats

Wednesday Wake Up

Well, Äiti may have tried to hibernate all through Christmas, but our loyal readers still though of us! We had the best parcel including these, described by a US pal as 'kitty crack'. They are not found in Finland(N), so we are massively grateful to our 'supplier' in Finland(S). Kiitos kovasti! Now open them up, Äiti...

We have all been feasting - very politely for once with the downstairs bunch all lining up.

Jaava is not so polite when she gets a treat. She got to chew on the lamb bone - note the placement of the paw with the ever-ready claw for anyone who dares approach.

And afterwards, there was much snoozing and snoring - Boxing Day can last for a long time here.

Slothful Saturday

Yesterday was the solstice here, so we had maximum hours of darkness. And that of course means we have more excuses (as if needed) to sleep - pretty much all day. The burmese of course snuggle up. Mesi has been braving downstairs - Otso and Papu can tease her a bit when they feel a bit bored. However they were, of course, asleep.  Jaava and Jura provided a good pillow for the teeny tortie.

And the other day, Kalle climbed up onto the bed for the first time to stretch out and snooze, while Äiti was in it.  She was so pleased.  

Kalle got a check from ystävämme eläinlääkäri who is delighted with his progress. His eyes are better than she expected - they still have an infection, probbaly fro old injuries (wethinks he may have been in fights when he was a fully endowed kollikissa.  He has been given a couple of shots for his scabby bits and bald patches - he has allergies. But he is very happy - and hungry. Äiti's current angst is keeping his appetite satisfied without giving his room mate -i.e. me - access to all his foods, as they do not last long when I am around!  Apparetlny 7 kg is enough weight for me to be carrying.....

And so now to your weekend entertainment - happy jigsawing!

Papu

Saturday Slacker

At least today's blog is on the right day, even though late. The girlcats have pinned Äiti down and she's doing her job. Just as well she is not so rubbish at feeding us!

Happy jigsawing with Kalle's cute fizzog.

Kalle

Studious Saturday

Otso was on top of the tarting pile for teacher's pet. Shameless. 

Äiti rarely brings her work home - basically becuase we do not let her work.   Sensible really.

Jaava and Veikko 

Hyvää Itsenäisyyspäivää!

Happy Finnish Independence Day! 

We just wish that all those darn humans would live and let live on the world stage, like we kitties int the felocracy do. Most of the time, anyway.

Wednesday Update

So the new boy is still getting special treatment. In the meantime, I am not able to be in the bedroom overnight as I am - allegedly - too unsettled and he needs to take things slowly. Pffft. Luckily I have plenty of beddies and a snuggle partner or too during the day. But alas, at nights I am stuck in the sauna.

But what of Kalle? Well, he is resolutely Under The Bed but allows himself to be moved for snuggles - a bit wierd as most shy kitties back off. he, however, relished the head rubs and has even allowed some belly rubs. He then heads back to the darkness and dust for a snooze. He is eating more, with dried food being his favourite.

As you can see, he has bald bits from his allergies. But we are not sure what he is allergic to yet. Äiti says we must be patient as he needs time to learn to feel safe. 

Saturday Snuggle Surprise

Äiti had to do a double take when she saw this. Yes, I am indeed in close proximity to a furry feline. Jaava is a noble peacemaker and friend to all of us. She had no worries about sharing a brand new beddie with me. As I am spending more time with the others, Äiti thought a new place to snuggle would be good and she chose something big enough to share, thinking that after a few days maybe I would be joined by another kitty. Well, Jaava and I were snoozing together within an hour, and Äiti had a big smile as a result.

And here is the jigsaw - a bit abstract but it shows off my tailio well. Enjoy.

Veikko

Snuggled Wednesday

There's a new beddie - the testers will be ready with their verdict after they are left in peace for their nap. 

 

Saturday Sparkles

For a few years Äiti has been using some of the former-felocrats cremains to adorn her scraggy neck. She has had them made into glass beads, and this week the latest bead arrived - Seppo's.  She now has seven - yes, we have had more who have Gone Before, but these are the ones she especially keeps close to her heart.

The beads are made by an amazingly talented, kind and helpful artist in the UK, Gail, who runs the PainintheGlass Etsy store. Totally recommended.

And in the meantime, back on the Catio, we are focused on enjoying life with a little packet of kissanminttu which Jaava is about to steal from Papu.

And here is the artified jigsaw. Enjoy.Jaava and Papu

Saturday Snorting

We have had a special delivery of kissanminttu and valerian. Our responses vary. Jaava savours the experience.

 Otso is very laid back.

Papu is wild.

And luckily I moved too fast for Äiti to get a camera when I was inhaling! Instead, enjoy the weekend jigsaw of me all artified.

Veikko

Saturday Suspense

Outside in the Catio, autumn is in the air. And that means flocks of birdies in the garden. Those intelligent enough not to come inside will survive, allowing the best genes to propogate for the next year.

Those who are not so clever will be a tasty snack. Papu is our most active hunter, and despite all the precautions* Äiti thinks she has taken, some birds will still meet their fate between his fangs.

* extra layer of smaller netting; reflective tape; wires on the top beams to prevent perching.......
 

And here's the jigsaw, showing some of the mighty hunters taking a break. Enjoy.

Burmese wheel

Wednesday Wheel

Papu, Jaava and Jura love to snuggle. This was almost a perfect photo, except for Jura's big ear sticking out!

 

Sibling Snuggle

 The most senior Felocrats (in age) began life together like this, and will still merge inseparably. 

Papu does not usually snuggle to the others. Unless he wants to of course. happy jigsawing!Papu

Saturday Slurp

Jaava is very keen to eat up all the leftovers from Äiti. She is wanting to steal whatever she can, seeing as Äiti stole the meal she caught for herself yesterday.  Not fair doesn't cover it! And no, she will not look at the camera.

And here is Wednesday's picture artified and jigsawed up. Enjoy.

Otso

Girlcat Wednesday

We Felocrats are mainly male, but we know who have to defer to Jaava who is the boss. Mesi, less than 2kg, is teeny tiny but full of feistiness. However, not enough of it for her to stand up to many of us more chunky boys! However, she knows full well no kitty will wind her up when she is on the throne of Äiti's lap. Especially with Jaava looking on.

Windy Wednesday

No, not the sort of wind in the toxic-gas-Seppo sense; outside it is sunny but chilly due to some icy air that is ruining our outdoor hammock time. Just as well we can snuggle in a beddie.

 

Snooze Time

Oh yes! Summer time beckons. Our first long hammock snooze has taken place. Here's to many more.